Man who faked medical condition sentenced in court

PUBLISHED: 18:58 17 June 2008 | UPDATED: 22:10 26 October 2009

A MAN who presented himself at numerous hospitals - including the QE2 in WGC - with a fake medical condition was sentenced to a two-year supervision order Anthony Rouse, 55, of no fixed abode, previously pleaded guilty to two counts of fraud by false repr

A MAN who presented himself at numerous hospitals - including the QE2 in WGC - with a fake medical condition was sentenced to a two-year supervision order

Anthony Rouse, 55, of no fixed abode, previously pleaded guilty to two counts of fraud by false representation and asked for 12 other similar incidents to be taken into consideration.

St Albans Crown Court heard yesterday (Monday) Rouse would present with stomach pains on public transport, and would be taken to hospital via ambulance.

He gave various alias names and said he was from different countries.

He would be prescribed pethidine - a synthetic-based opiate - as he claimed to be allergic to other forms of painkiller.

Speaking after he was sentenced, detective constable Karen Hill said: "This is a very unusual case and we have worked closely with the NHS fraud investigation team to compile a watertight case against Rouse who committed offences in WGC, Surrey, London, the North East and the West Country."

"Security staff at the QE2 Hospital in WGC became suspicious and alerted police and Rouse was subsequently arrested."

He has been on remand since December 2007.

She said: "We believe Rouse has an addiction to pethidine and has illegitimately received treatment that he does not need.

"Not only could this have compromised the health professionals who treated him, but there was the detriment to Rouse's own health to consider, and that of patients who were in genuine need of medical treatment."